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Sensei Biotherapeutics Presents Preclinical Data for SNS-101, a pH-Selective Anti-VISTA Antibody, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 36th Annual Meeting
V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) is a novel immune checkpoint protein that has been recognized as an important potential
About this update from Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) is a novel immune checkpoint protein that has been recognized as an important potential immunotherapeutic target Preclinical data demonstrate that SNS-101 selectivity binds the active form of VISTA induced by the low pH environment of a tumor, which could overcome the challenges of rapid target-mediated drug elimination in the blood IND-enabling studies underway for SNS-101 Company to webcast VISTA science symposium with a leading thought leader, Professor Robert Schreiber, Ph.D., on Tuesday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. ET BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNSE), an immunotherapy company focused on the discovery and development of next generation therapeutics for cancer, today announced the first preclinical data for SNS-101, its anti-VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation) product candidate. The data will be presented during a poster session on November 13, 2021, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC 2021) 36th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. and virtually. “VISTA has been recognized for years as an important immune checkpoint but has been difficult to drug due to its unique pH-dependent biology,” said Robert Pierce, M.D. chief scientific officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics. “VISTA is primarily expressed on myeloid cells, a hub of immunosuppressive activity, and functions as a checkpoint exclusively under acidic conditions where it binds to its receptor, PSGL-1. Our scientific team has been evaluating VISTA for several years. Accordingly, we believe, the key to unlocking the power of this checkpoint lies with the development of an antibody that selectively binds the active form of VISTA that is only present within the low pH of the tumor microenvironment. At SITC, we are excited to share the preclinical data demonstrating that SNS-101 binds active VISTA with high affinity and significant selectivity (~600-fold increase at pH 6.0 versus 7.4).” Dr. Pierce continued, “We are also encouraged by early in vivo evidence from a human VISTA knock-in mouse model showing improved immune responses, including the anticipated combination effect with anti-PD1 in a PD1 blockade responsive tumor model. We continue to expand on this research and are looking forward to sharing more in vivo data at a future medical co...